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Bushnell Meth Mother Sentenced

McDonough County Sheriff's Department

The person described as the “matriarch” of a criminal enterprise in western Illinois has learned her punishment.

Brenda Raines, 51, of 793 North Sperry Street in Bushnell, was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison.  The sentence was handed down in Peoria on Tuesday by U.S. District Court Judge Michael Mihm.

Raines was convicted of conspiracy to manufacture and deliver methamphetamine in excess of 500 grams.  Authorities said she ran a large multi-county meth operation.

Raines and several other people – including her husband and two sons – were arrested at their home in the early morning hours of February 24, 2013.

The McDonough County Sheriff’s Department and the Bushnell Police Department said they seized seven “shake and bake” meth labs, stripped lithium batteries, sulfuric acid, ammonia nitrate, lye, Coleman fuel, iodized salt, packaging materials, digital scales, empty packages of pseudoephedrine, paraphernalia, and 25 grams of marijuana.

They also seized around $800 in cash.

Brenda Raines is the first person sentenced in the case.

Rich is TSPR's News Director.